Followup: Raphael Ward Murder Investigation; Tributes to an LES Teen

The NYPD yesterday circulated security camera video showing four “persons of interest” wanted for questioning in the murder of Raphael Ward.

As the Times reported, cops declined to characterize what role the young men might have played in the fatal Friday night shooting on Columbia Street. The Daily News, however, went a few steps further. Its provocative headline read, “Cops: Here are the four guys who killed Raphael Ward for his Marmot jacket.”

Later in the afternoon, the Post reported that police were already interviewing three other people. “The threesome were not believed to have participated in the cold-blooded murder, but may have information that could help investigators solve the case,” sources told the tabloid. Also yesterday, at least some police sources were waving reporters off the (widely reported) theory that Ward was killed for his jacket.

As we noted yesterday, Ward will be remembered at the Provenzano Lanza Funeral Home tomorrow afternoon. The funeral will take place at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Pitt Street Thursday morning.

Friends and loved ones are sharing memories on a Facebook page, R.I.P Raphael Sadonte Ward, that was established over the weekend. There’s also a tribute video, featuring lots of photos of Raphael, that’s making the rounds on YouTube.